The Amsterdam Bar

A laid-back bar with some pretty decent beers on tap. Their expansive patio with twinkling lights and plenty of tables is a great place to hang with large group of friends. The night to go is Monday night: jazz night. There’s no cover fee to enjoy some of the best jazz in Dallas, but be prepared on Summer nights. It gets HOT in there.

Billiard Bar

It’s perhaps a shade too nice to be considered a “dive” but the wobbly tables, strong drinks, and lack of a dress code help nudge it into this category. For those who like to play pool, it’s good for obvious reasons. Lots of seating and space around the tables make it nice for people who’d rather chat up players than take on the challenge themselves.

The Doublewide

A silver tornado twists above the roof in a humorously dark fashion. As the name implies, the bar is actually in a trailer with an adjacent patio and room where you can catch a local band. Drink the beer like it comes (out of the can) and if you want a mixed drink, consider the Boone’s Farm Martini with its Pixi Stick sugar rim. Hey, when in Rome…

Fallout Lounge

Truth be told, Fallout can be a hit or miss. It all depends on the night. Some nights it’s kinda dead; other nights the full-fledged dance party is on and spilling out on to the sidewalk. It’s a hip, unpretentious place with DJs often spinning good dance music and taking requests. The nice part is that it’s a block or two away from other great bars so you can swing by, survey the scene, and decide whether to stay or move on.

The Grapevine Bar

Their drink specials are hard to beat and “happy hour” lasts literally all day on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. ($3 drinks!) But the best part about The Grapevine is its eclectic, bohemian atmosphere. No glass or chair in the whole place matches. Their rooftop bar offers a great view of Dallas. However, when combined with their signature frozen cocktail, the Everclear Bellini, those stairs can be harrowing!

Lakewood Landing

The drinks are cheap, the jukebox is great, and the food…well it’s greasy bar food in the best possible way. Touting itself as an “upscale dive,” there’s not a whole lot that’s upscale about it. That lends to its charm. The pool table nestled in the back is the place to be while you sip your PBRs.

credit: leeharveys.com

Lee Harvey’s

Excellent DJs spin inside the minuscule bar, but outside is where it’s at. Pile out into the front yard and pull up a picnic table. During the winter, gather around one of the bonfires. Pet one of the friendly dogs that roam around, meet an interesting character or two, and enjoy the very best of bar divedom.

The Slip Inn

Dance, drink, and dance some more. It’s not a place to see and be seen while sitting poised against a booth. People go to the Slip Inn to have some fun. The crowd is a diverse one—bikers, hipsters, university kids. There’s no dress code and no cover charge. You just need to be ready to dance.

thelittledish.com is a Dallas-based food blog that’s taking a bite out of the Metroplex one restaurant & recipe review at a time.